Selector switch for rotary files



May 23, 1961 s. K. HANDEL SELECTOR SWITCH FOR ROTARY FILES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1959 .5 3 050 Jomkzov M952 PJBIEIEIUEIEIU N QN TON ATTaeA/EYJ. I

May 23, 1961 s. K. HANDEL SELECTOR SWITCH FOR ROTARY FILES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 29, 1959 z c HM INVENTOR.

HTTOENE May 23, 1961 s. K. HANDEL SELECTOR SWITCH FOR ROTARY FILES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 29, 1959 INVENTOR.

SELECTOR swrrcn non ROTARY FILES Siegfried K. Handel, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to The Mosler Safe Company, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 862,551

11 Claims. (Cl. 200-11) The present invention relates to switches and is particularly directed to a rotary switch adapted for interchangeable service with any of a plurality of different rotary files.

In recent years there has been a tremendous increase in the use of motorized rotary filing equipment. This equipment is highly advantageous for several reasons, among these being the fact that the equipment can store the same amount of material as a conventional drawer file in only a fraction of the space. Moreover, the stored material is readily accessible to the operator so that any selected material can be withdrawn from the file system in only a fraction of the time required to remove such material from a conventional file.

Many different types of rotary files have previously been proposed, and while the details of construction of these files do not constitute part of the present invention, it is considered that an understanding of the over.- all construction of a typical rotary file is essential to a proper understanding of the present invention.

In general, rotary files of the type with which the present switch can be used are of two types. The first type will be referred to as the elevator type and the sec- -ond type will be called the drum type. In an elevator .type file a plurality of trays or pans are mounted upon circular carriers which are rotatable on a horizontal axis. As the carriers are rotated, the trays are successively .shifted into registry with an opening in the file housing to permit access to the contents of the tray. Originally, the carriers were rotated by hand. However, it has been found desirable, in order to expedite filing, to provide a power drive for rotating the carriers. The power drive includes a motor and control means for the motor including an operators selector unit such as a key board which can be manipulated by the operator to select the tray to be brought into registry with the cabinet opening.

For example, in a file having nine trays, the operators :selector panel is provided with nine keys; each of the .keys corresponds to one of the trays.

The file unit further includes a selector switch having stationary contacts respectively connected to the keys of the operators :selector unit. The selector switch additionally includes a conductive rotary member which is mechanically interconnected with the main shaft of the file for rotation with the trays. Leads are taken from this conductive member to a motor control circuit which directly con- .trols the energization and deenergization of the motor :and the direction of rotation thereof. In order to cause .A circuit is completed through its contact and the rotary conductive disc to a motor control circuit which is effective to energize the motor to rotate the file trays until the desired tray is positioned at the access opening at which time the motor is automatically deenergized.

2,985,726. Patented May 23 1961 While as suggested above, a drum file differs from an elevator file in that a drum file does not include separate pans but rather includes one or more rotatable drums having peripheral card receiving recesses, the control unit for a drum type file is similar to that described above and functions to automatically bring a selected recess into registry with the access opening of the file cabinet. Thus, it is to be understood that the present selector switch can be used as well with a drum type file as with an elevator file.

It will readily be appreciated that in commercial production files are produced in many different sizes and these files are provided with widely varying numbers of compartments. For example, one manufacturers line of files includes files having nine to twenty trays and files having either fewer or more trays are perfectly feasible.

Heretofore it has been necessary to construct a separate selector switch for each different size file. Thus, the selector switch for a file having nine trays was completely different from a selector switch for a file having ten trays and this switch also in turn was completely different from the switch designed for use with a file having twenty trays. This requirement of providing a separate switch for each file unit has added appreciably to the cost of the files and has also added to the difficulties of servicing files once these have been installed. For example, in order to service a large office having les of six different sizes it was necessary to stock six different selector switches so that any switch becoming damaged or worn out could be promptly replaced.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a selector switch which is interchangeable with files having many different numbers of trays. Thus, by way of example, one preferred form of a selector switch constructed in accordance with the present invention is interchangeable with files having nine trays, ten trays, thirteen trays, fourteen trays, sixteen trays, or twenty trays. Similar switches can be constructed for installation in files having a still different number of trays if desired.

In essence, the present invention is predicated upon the concept of providing a selector switch comprising a stationary contact carrying plate having a large number of contact receiving openings formed on a series of concentric circles. The contact receiving openings on each circle are equally spaced from one another and the number of contact openings on each circle corresponds to the number of trays of one of the file units with which the switch might possibly be used.

Thus, for example, in a switch adapted to be used with file units having nine, ten, thirteen, fourteen, sixteen or twenty rows of trays, six contact circles are provided in the stationary plate. The innermost ring includes nine equally spaced openings. The second ring contains ten openings, the third ring contains thirteen openings, the fourth ring contains fourteen openings the fifth ring contains sixteen openings, and the sixth or outermost ring contains twenty equally spaced openings. Each of these openings is fitted with a metal sleeve or eyelet adapted to slidably journal a rivet contact, spring means being provided for urging the heads of the rivet contacts into engagement with a conductive rotary disc.

Each eyelet is formed of a conductive material and is elecgically connected by means of a conductive strip to the corresponding eyelets in each of the other circular sets. Thus, the eyelets in each of the six circles corresponding to the first tray are joined together, all of the aesaree only in the circular ring of eyelets having the same number of eyelets as the number of trays of the file unit. Thus, if the switch is to be used with the file having nine trays, the contacts are inserted in the innermost ring having nine eyelets, whereas if the switch is to be used with a file unit having twenty trays, the contacts are inserted in the outermost ring having twenty eyelets. In any case, the lead wire connections are made to the contacts by securing the wires to the solder lugs associated with the corresponding eyelets in the outermost ring.

The invention is further predicated upon the concept of providing a rotary switch plate having two conductive sectors of generally semi-circular configuration, the conductors being completely insulated from one another. In accordance with the present invention, the two conductive sectors are separated from one another along a first portion of the disc by means of a radial strip. However, on the opposite side of the disc the sectors are separated by interconnected short radial strips and arcuate segments. Each of the short radial strips is spaced outwardly from the axis of the disc at a distance corresponding to the radial distance of one of the contact circles. These radial strips are angularly offset from one another and are disposed in relation to the number of contacts in the associated circle so that the first mentioned radial strip and the short radial strip can never simultaneously engage more than one contact on a given circle. This insures that when the file has been positioned it can always be shifted to any other desired position.

The principal advantage of the present switch unit is that it greatly simplifies the process of switch manufacturing and the inventory problems of the maintenance departments. Every switch is identical with one another and any given switch can be inserted in any file unit merely by pressing the readily removable and insertable rivet contacts into the appropriate contact circle, i.e., the circle having the same number of openings as the number of trays in the file. Thus, if a maintenance department has six different sizes of files, it need carry only one spare selector switch in stock and this selector switch can be used to replace a defective switch in any of the six different files.

A further advantage of the present selector switch is that it is extremely easy to install since the wiring connections are always made to the soldering lugs provided on the outer and hence most readily accessible ring of eyelets irrespective of which circle of eyelets is in use.

A still further advantage of the present switch construction is that the use of conductive metal eyelets provides a ready elecrical connection from one surface of the stationary plate to the other. This facilitates the provision of printed circuits on both sides of the switch plate hereby providing a maximum clearance beween adjacent conductive strips and facilitating the use of the shortest distances between the sleeves to be connected. Thus, this construction not only minimizes the possibility of electrical break-down of the switch, but also further contributes to the economy of the switch production.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from a further consideration of the following detailed description of the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a typical file unit provided with the present switch.

Figure 2 is a side view of a switch constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the switch shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of a rotary disc in the present switch taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of Figure 2 further illustrating the contact rivets.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the present selector switch 10 is used in an automatic elevator type file. A file unit of this type in general comprises two spaced carriers 11 mounted for rotation upon a horizontal shaft 12. The carriers support a plurality of horizontally disposed trays or pans 13 of which are pivotally mounted on the carrier members and connected to a suitable stabilizing mechanism, not shown, for maintaining the trays in an upright position as they move in a circular path defined by the carriers.

It will readily be appreciated that such file units are conventionally constructed in many different sizes and are fitted with different numbers of trays. Thus, some file units may be provided with nine trays, some with ten, others with eleven, still others with twenty, and so forth. In each case, however, the trays are equally spaced about the periphery of the carrier members. Thus, if nine trays are provided the trays are spaced 40 degrees from one another, while if twenty trays are provided the trays are spaced eighteen degrees from one another. It is to be understood that the exact construction of the trays, carriers and their associated stabilizing mechanism constitute no part of the present invention. Those skilled in the art are familiar with many different suitable tray and carrier constructions with which the present selector switch may be advantageously used. Moreover, it is to be understood that the present selector switch can also be used with single or multiple drum file units such as those shown in E. E. Knittel Patent No. 2,418,357 and E. E. Knittel Patent No. 2,796,308. In general a drum file includes one or more large circular drums. Each of the drums is provided with a plurality of equispaced recesses or compartments adapted for the storage of record cards. These drums are mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis and when equipped with the present selector switch are driven by a reversible motor in the same manner as the elevator file described in detail below.

In an elevator type file the trays are enclosed in a housing or cabinet, a portion of which is indicated diagrammatically at 14. The cabinet is provided with a front opening 15 for providing access to the tray aligned with the housing. As was previously explained, the trays are rotatably shifted within the cabinet about a horizontal shaft 12. Shaft 12 is mechanically interconnected through a suitable gear reduction unit to a motor 16. Motor 16 is reversible and is eifective to rotate shaft 12 in either direction. The motor 16 is energized through a motor control circuit 17 which has two pairs of input leads. One pair of input leads comprise power lines 18 and 19, while the other two leads 2% and 21 are low voltage leads connected to selector switch 19. These latter two leads control the energization of the motor control relays which in turn govern the energization of the motor.

As is explained in detail below, selector switch 19 is provided with a rotatable disc 22 which is interconnected to shaft 12 for rotation in synchronism therewith. Disc 22 is provided with conductively coated portions which are effective to establish an electrical connection between lines 20 and 21 and the stationary contacts 23 of the selector switch. These stationary contacts are in turn electrically connected through leads 24 to the operators selector unit 25. In one embodiment, this selector unit includes a plurality of key switches 26, each of which corresponds to one of the trays of the file. Thus, when it is desired to bring tray number one (13-1) into registry with opening 15, key number one (25-1) is depressed. When it is desired to bring tray number four (134) into registry with opening 15, key 26 four (264) is depressed, and so forth.

It is to be understood that the details of construction of the operators selector unit constitute no part of the present invention and that the present selector switch 10 can also be used as other types of selector units, for example,-a dial type unit.

,5 The'details of construction of the selector switch are best shown in Figures 2-5. As there shown, switch comprises a front plate 27, a rear, or contact carrying plate 28, and a rotatable disc 22 interposed between the stationary plates 27 and 28. The front and rear plates are formed of suitable nonconductive plastic material, such as phenolic resin; e.g., Spauldite.

In the embodiment shown, these plates are of square outline and are held in assembled relationship by means of a plurality of bolts 30. Each of the bolts 30 passes through aligned openings in front and rear plates 27 and 28 and through cylindrical spacer members 31. The spacer members are preferably formed of a plastic insulating material and are effective to hold the plates in spaced parallel alignment. Short cylindrical spacers 32 are fitted over the ends of the bolts 30, and nuts 33 are threaded over the ends of the bolts and tightened into contact with spacers 32.

Two nylon bushings 34 and 35 are inserted in aligned center openings formed in each of the front and rear plates. Each of the bushings 34 and 35 is provided with a collar 3637 in respective engagement with the inner surfaces of front plate 27 and rear plate 28. These bushings rotatably journal shaft 38. This shaft carries a hub 40 which is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith by means of a transverse pin 41 passing through aligned openings in the hub and shaft. Hub 40 is provided with a radial flange 42 having two diametrically opposed bolt receiving openings. Disc 22, which is formed of an insulating material such as Spauldite or the like, is fitted over hub 40 and is secured to the hub by means of bolts 44 which pass through the bolt openings in flange 42 and rotatably engage tapped openings provided in disc member 22.

Contact carrying plate 23 is best shown in Figure 3. As there shown, contact carrying plate 28 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings, each of which is fitted with contact eyelets. The construction of the eyelets and the manner in which they support contacts are explained in detail below. These openings and eyelets 45 are disposed along six concentric contact circles of uniformly increasing radii. The innermost circular ring of eyelets is designated the A ring. This circle includes nine equally spaced openings and eyelets marked A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, and A9. The next outwardly disposed ring of contact eyelets contains twelve eyelets which are marked B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11 and B12. The third circular set of eyelets includes thirteen equally spaced contact eyelets which are identified as C1, C2, C3, C4, C13. Similarly, the fourth contact circle contains fourteen equally spaced contact eyelets numbered D1, D2, D3, D4, D14. The fifth contact ring contains sixteen equally spaced contact eyelets numbered E1, E2, E3, E4, E16, while the outermost circle contains twenty contact eyelets which are equally spaced along the circumference of the circle and are numbered F1, F2, F3, F20. By virtue of this eyelet arrangement, the present selector switch can readily be used with files having either nine, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, sixteen, or twenty trays. As explained below, the switch can also be used with files having four, five, six, seven, eight, and ten trays. If it is desired to use the switch with a file having a different number of trays, the switch plate 28 can be provided with a circle of contacts containing the number of equally spaced eyelets corresponding to the number of trays of the file.

The construction of these contact eyelets is best shown in Figure 5. As there shown, each of the contact eyelets 45 includes a thin walled, cylindrical tube section 46 which passes through an opening in rear plate 28 and a heavy radial flange 47 which abuts the inner surface 48 of rear plate 28. Each of the eyelets is held in space by means of outwardly turned rim 50 formed on the outer edge of the eyelet after the eyelet has been inserted through the rear plate. In addition to the eyelets described above, rear plate 28 also carries two contact eyelets 51 and 52 mounted within the A circle .of eyelets and disposed on diametrically opposite sides of shaft 38.

Each of the twenty eyelets F1-F20 on the outer circle and eyelets 51 and 52 also carries a solder lug 53. Each solder lug 53 is preferably formed of a conductive material, such as copper, and is provided with a large opening adapted to receive the tube portion 46 of an eyelet 45. The solder lugs are clamped between the outer rims 50 of the eyelets and the outer surface of contact carrying plate 28. In assembling plate 28, a solder lug 53 is placed over the portions of the tubular sleeves of the eyelets extending through the openings in rear plate 28. Thereafter, the rims of the eyelets are turned over the solder lugs to clamp the solder lugs in engagement with the outer face of rear plate 28. Each of the solder lugs also includes a smaller opening 55 adapted to receive the end of a connecting lead whereby the lead may be readily secured and soldered to the lug.

Each of the corresponding contact eyelets from each of the eyelet circles A, B, C, D, E, and F is electrically interconnected with the corresponding contact eyelets of the other circles and with one of the solder lugs 53 attached to the outermost set of eyelets F1-F20.

Thus, by way of example, contacts A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, and F1 are joined together as are contacts A2, B2, C2, D2, E2, and F2. These electrical connections are established by means of printed circuits provided on the inner and outer surface of rear contact plate 28. These printed circuits can be formed in any suitable manner; however, in the embodiment shown, they are formed by depositing copper on the surfaces of the rear plate using any of the conventional printed circuit techniques. In a preferred embodiment the copper lines of the printed circuit are approximately A of an inch in width and are of extremely small thickness.

It is to be understood in Figure 3, that the printed copper lines shown in solid lines are on the outer face of plate 28, while the copper lines shown in dotted lines are on the inner face of plate 28. It is also readily apparent that electrical contact is established between the copper lines formed on the outer surface and the contact eyelets by means of the annular conductive ring plated around the contact opening, which ring is firmly engaged by the overturned rim of the contact carrying eyelet. Similarly, electrical contact is established between the conductive lines provided on the inner surface of plate 28 and the eyelets by the engagement of the eyelet shoulders with an annular contact ring surrounding the edge of the eyelet receiving opening.

It is also further apparent that in some instances electrical contact between the printed circuit on the inner face of plate 28 and the printed circuit of the outer face of plate 28 is established through one of the eyelets. It is considered that the manner in which the various cor responding eyelets are electrically connected together is readily apparent from Figure 3 and that all of these connections need not be described in detail.

However, in order to insure a full understanding of the invention the inter-connection of the 7 contacts, i.e., eyelets A7, B7, C7, D7, E7, and F7 will be described, it being understood that the remaining contacts are joined together in the same manner. Eyelet A7 is connected to eyelet B7 by means of conductive strip 56 disposed on the outer surface of plate 28. Similarly, eyelet B7 is interconnected to eyelet C7 by means of conductive strip 57 which is placed on the inner surface of plate 28. The electrical connection then passes through plate 28 by means of eyelet C7 so that eyelet C7 is joined to eyelet D7 by means of conductive strip 58 plated on the inner surface of plate 28. In a similar manner, ey'elet D7 is joined to eyelet E7 by means of conductive strip 60, and eyelet E7 is connected to eyelet F7 by means of conductive strip 61, conductive strips 58, 60 and 61 each being plated on the inner surface of plate 28. The electrical circuit is then brought back out through plate 28 by means of eyelet F7 which is also in electrical connection with solder lug 53 mounted on the outer end of the eyelet.

It will thus readily be apparent that if an electrical lead is connected to solder lug 53 mounted on eyelet F7, that lead is automatically placed in electrical circuit connection with all of the "7 eyelets of rings A, B, C, D, E, and In a similar manner, the solder lug mounted on eyelet F3 is simultaneously placed in electrical connection with each of the contact eyelets A3, B3, D3, E3 and F3.

Each of the contact eyelets is adapted to receive a contact plunger or rivet 23. Each of the contact rivets 23 comprises an elongated shank 62 and an enlarged head 63 formed on the inner end of the shank. Each of the enlarged heads 63 has a generally rounded contact face disposed for abutment with disc 22 and an outwardly facing annular shoulder 64 adapted to abut a compression spring 65 which is interposed between head 63 and shoulder 47 formed on the eyelet. Each of the contact shanks is slidably journalled in the surrounding eyelet and is spring urged into engagement with disc 22. Consequently, each of the contact rivets is effective to establish an electrical connection between rotary disc 22 and its associated eyelet.

The details of construction of rotary disc 22 are best shown in Figure 4. As was explained above, disc 22 is formed of a suitable nonconductive material. The face 66 of the disc disposed opposite the plate 28 is provided with two conductive segments 67 and 68. These segments in the preferred embodiment are formed by flush plating silver rhoditun onto the surface of the disc. Conductive segments 67 and 68 are everywhere insulated from one another by uncoated areas of the disc. On the upper portion of disc 22 as it is oriented in Figure 4, the segments are separated by an uncoated radial strip 70, of a width substantially greater than the contact area of leads 63. Conductive segment 67 is joined to an annular conductive commutator ring segment 71. The radial distance of this ring from shaft 38 is the same as the radial distance of the contact mounted in contact eyelet 51. An annular nonconductive (uncoated) strip 72 separates conductive commuta- L tor segment 71 from conductive segment 68, while another nonconductive annular segment 73 separates both commutator ring section 71 and conductive segment 67 from an annular commutator ring portion 74.

Inner commutator ring portion 74 is disposed at the i same radius from shaft 38 as is the contact carried by eyelet 52 on stationary plate 28. Commutator ring 74 is provided with an inwardly extending portion 75. A wire 76 is soldered to this section and passes through an opening in disc 22 to the rear face of the disc Where the wire is soldered to a conductive strip indicated by dotted lines 77. This conductive strip extends radially of the disc and is joined at its outer end to a wire 78 which passes through the disc and is soldered to a radially extending portion 89 on conductive segment 68. Thus, conductive segment 68 is electrically connected with inner commutator ring 74.

The portions of conductive segments 67 and 68 opposite radial insulating strip 78 are separated from one another by a plurality of angularly offset radial segments and a plurality of interconnecting radially offset arcs or circumferential segments. More particularly, that portion of conductive segments 67 and 68 spaced outwardly from shaft 38 the same distance as the A ring of contact eyelets, are spaced from one another by means of a nonconductive radial strip 81 which is disposed diametrically opposite radial insulating strip 76. This radial insulating strip is joined to arcuate insulating segment 72 and to a second arcuate segment 82. Segment 82 is in turn joined to a second radial strip 83 which 8 separates conductive strips 67 and 68 at a radial distancev corresponding to the B set of contact eyelets. It is to be noted that radial strip 83 is angularly displaced from the diametral line including strip 70 by 18 degrees. This angular spacing is equal to one-half of the angular spacing of the contact eyelets of the B circle, since these twelve contacts are spaced thirty degrees apart. The lower end of radial insulating segment 83 interconnects with a second circumferential segment 84, the opposite end of this segment in turn being connected to a radial insulating strip 85.

Strip 85 is disposed on the same diametral line as radial strips 70 and 81 and is disposed at the same radial distance from shaft 38 as the C ring of contact eyelets. The lower end of this radial insulating strip is connected to arcuate strip 86 which is in turn joined to a radial noncoated strip 87 disposed at the same radial distance from shaft 38 as the D set of contact eyelets. Radial strip 87 is angularly displaced from the diametral line running through strip 70.

Specifically, strip 87 is disposed at an angle of 1251 which is approximately one-half the annular spacing between the contact eyelets of the D ring. Radial insulating strip 87 interconnects with radial insulating strip 90.

Radial insulating strip 98 is disposed outwardly from shaft 38 the same distance as the E set of contact eyelets and is angularly otfset from the diametral line through radial insulating segment 70. The angular offset of radial strip 99 approximately 1115 which is onehalf the angular distance between the eyelet contacts of the E circle.

Insulating strip 90 in turn interconnects with insulating radial strip 92. Insulating radial strip 92 is located outwardly from shaft 38 the same distance as the outermost or F circle of contact eyelets. This strip 92 is angularly offset from the diametral line through insulating strip 70 by 9 which is again equal to onehalf of the angular spacing between the contact eyelets of the F ring.

In assembling the present switch, rear contact plate 28 is molded and the various openings for receiving the contact eyelets and bushing 35 are formed in any suitable manner as by drilling. Next the printed circuit shown in Figure 3 is placed upon the plate in any suitable manner. Thereafter, contact eyelets 23 are inserted in each of the openings in the plate and solder lugs are placed over the ends of the eyelets of the F circle and eyelets 51 and 52. Finally, the outer ends of the eyelets are overturned to form outer rims 50 which firmly hold the eyelets in place.

Contact rivets are inserted only in eyelets 51 and S2 and in the contact ring having the same number of eyelets as the number of trays in the particular file with which the switch is to be used. Thus, for example, in assembling the switch for use with a nine tray file. such as is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1, contact rivets (having springs mounted on their sleeves) are inserted only through contact eyelets 51 and 52 and through the nine contact eyelets of the A ring, A1, A2, A3. A4, A5. A6, A7, A8 and A9. Thereafter. shaft 38 which has previously been assembled with disc 22 is inserted in bushing 35 carried by p ate and the front plate 27 placed over the shaft, the shaft also being journalled in bushing 34 carried by the front plate. Thereafter, bolts 30 and spacers 31 and 32 are assembled and locked in place by means of nuts 33 to complete the assembly of the switch.

The nine leads 24 from the operators selector unit are soldered to the outer soldering lugs 53 in such a manner that key one is joined to the lug on eyelet F1, key 2 is connected to the lug on eyelet F2, and so on. Leads 20 and 21 are soldered to the soldering lugs 53 carried by eyelets 51 and 52 and the unit is ready to be placed in operation. I

9 In operation, assume that tray number one, of the file unit has been stopped in registry with opening 15 and that it is desired to bring tray number three into registry with the opening.

When tray No. 1 was previously shifted into registry with opening 15, shaft 38 of selector switch 10 which moves in synchronism with main shaft 12 of the file unit was rotated until the contact rivet disposed in eyelet Al was in engagement with noncoated insulating radial strip 70. At this time, the circuit to the motor control circuit 17 was broken and motor 16 was deenergized to stop the file unit. It is important to note that with the disc in this position, nonconductive radial strip 81 is disposed beween the contacts associated with eyelets A and A6 so that except for contact A3 the A" ring is in engagement with one of the conductive segments 67 or 68.

In order to shift the file trays to bring tray No. 4 into registry with opening 15, the operator depresses selector button 26-4. This closes a circuit through the appropriate lead 24 to the solder lug associated with eyelet F4. Since this eyelet is connected through the printed circuit to eyelet A4, the electrical current flows from eyelet F4 to eyelet A4 and from that eyelet through the associated contact rivet to conductive segment 67. From conductive segment 67 current flows through commutator ring 71 to the contact carried by eyelet 51. From this eyelet the current flows through lead 21 to the motor control circuit and is effective to energize the appropriate relays in motor circuit 16 to cause motor rotation in the proper direction to bring tray 4 to opening 15 through the closest path.

As shaft 12 is driven by motor 16, shaft 38 and disc 22 are turned in synchronism with the movement of the tray until nonconductive strip 70 is brought into engagement with contact A4. This time the circuit to the motor control circuit is opened and motor 16 is deenergized stopping movement of the file tray. Any of the nine trays can be brought into alignment with opening 15 in a similar manner by merely depressing the associated key 26-1 to 26-9.

"It will readily be apparent that the above disclosed switch can also be used without modification in conjunction with files having 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and trays, specifically in order to use the switch with a file having 4 trays, contact rivets are inserted in every third opening of the "B contact ring. Thus contact rivets are inserted in eyelets B1, B4, B7 and B10. The electrical connections are made from the operators selection unit to corresponding soldering lugs on eyelets F1, F4, F7, F10. Similarly to use the switch with a file having five trays, contact rivets are inserted in every fourth contact of the F ring, i.e. contacts F1, F5, F9, F13, and F17 and electrical connections are made to the lugs associated with those eyelets. To use the switch with a file having six trays, contacts are inserted in every second contact opening of the B ring while electrical connections are made to soldering lugs on eyelets F1, F3, F5, F7, F9 and F11. In the same way, the switch can be adapted for utilization with files having 7, 8 and 10 trays by respectively placing contacts in every second eyelet of the D ring, E ring and F ring and making corresponding electrical connections to the proper eyelets on the F contact ring.

From the above disclosure of the general principles of the invention and the detailed description of a pre ferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend various modifications to which the invention is susceptible. Thus, for example, it is contemplated that less than six or more than six rows of contacts can be provided and that these rows may have different numbers of contacts than those shown. Accordingly, I desire to be limited by the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A selector switch for use with rotary files of the type having a motor drive, said switch comprising a; stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, said openings being disposed along two concentric circles, the number of openings disposed on one circle being different from the number of openings on the other circle, a plurality of contact mem-' bers disposed in the openings along one circle, and a rotary plate, means mounting said plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face thereof in parallel spaced opposition to said stationary plate, spring means urging said contacts into engagement with said rotary plate, said rotary plate having two conductive portions formed thereon, said conductive portions being insulated from one another along two radial lines disposed for engagement with said contacts, said contacts being disposed whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive portions, two continuous conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions, and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

2. A selector switch for use with rotary files of the type having a motor drive, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, said openings being equispaced along two concentric circles, the number of openings disposed on one circle being different from the number of openings on the other circle, a plurality of contact members slidably disposed in each of the openings along one circle, and a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face thereof in parallel spaced opposition to said stationary plate, spring means urging said contacts into engagement with said rotary plate, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along first and second radial lines disposed for engagement with said contacts, the radial lines being disposed in relation to the number of contacts whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two continuous conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions, and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

3. A selector switch for use with rotary files of the type having a motor drive, said switch compising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, said openings being equispaced along first and second concentric circles, the first circle having an even number of openings formed thereon, the second circle having an odd number of openings formed thereon, a plurality of contact members slidably disposed in each of the openings along one circle, and a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face thereof in parallel spaced opposition to said stationary plate, spring means urging said contacts into engagement with the face of said rotary plate, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along a first radial line disposed on one side of said axis, for engagement with said contacts, and first and second short radial lines on the opposite side of said axis, said first short radial line being disposed outwardly at the same distance as said first circle of contact openings and being displaced angularly from a diametral line through said first radial line, said second radial line being disposed outwardly at the same distance as said second circle of contact openings and being disposed on the same diametral line as said first radial line, whereby when said first radial line is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive portions, two continuous conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions, and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

4. A selector switch for use with rotary files of the type having a motor drive, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, an eyelet member inserted in each of said openings, each of said eyelet members including a tubular section, a shoulder in engagement with one face of said stationary plate and an overturned rim in engagement with the opposite surface of said stationary plate, said openings being equally spaced along a plurality of concentric circles, a different number of openings being disposed on each of said circles, a plurality of contact members slidably disposed in each of the eyelets along one circle, each of said contact members having a head, a spring compressed between said head and shoulder of the surrounding eyelet, a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face of said rotary plate in parallel spaced opposition to the stationary plate, said rotary plate being in engagement with said contact heads, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along radial lines disposed for engagement with said contacts, said radial lines being disposed in relation to said contacts whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions, and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

5. A selector switch for use with rotary files of the type having a motor drive, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, an eyelet member inserted in each of said openings, each of said eyelet members including a tubular section, a shoulder in engagement with one face of said stationary plate and an overturned rim in engagement with the opposite surface of said stationary plate, said openings being equally spaced along a plurality of concentric circles, a different number of openings being disposed on each of said circles, and electrical conductors interconnecting the corresponding eyelets of each of said circles, a plurality of contact members slidably disposed in each of the eyelets along one circle, each of said contact members having a head, a spring compressed between said head and shoulder of the surrounding eyelet, a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face of said rotary plate in parallel spaced opposition to the stationary plate, said rotary plate being in engagement with said contact heads, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along radial lines disposed for engagement with said contacts, said radial lines being disposed in relation to said contacts whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions, and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

6. A selector switch for use with rotary files of the type having a motor drive, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, an eyelet member inserted in each of said openings, each of said eyelet members including a tubular section, a shoulder in engagement with one face of said stationary plate and an overturned rim in engagement with the opposite surface of said stationary plate, said openings being equally spaced along a plurality of concentric circles, a different number of openings being disposed on each of said circles, and electrical conductors interconnecting the corresponding eyelets of each of said circles, said electrical conductors comprising printed circuit lines deposited on said stationary plate, a plurality of contact members slidably disposed in each of the eyelets along one circle, each of said contact members having a head, a spring compressed between said head and shoulder of the surrounding eyelet, a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face of said rotary plate in parallel spaced opposition to the stationary plate, said rotary plate being in engagement with said contact heads, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along radial lines disposed for engagement with said contacts, said radial lines being disposed in relation to said contacts whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions, and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portlons.

7. A selector switch for use with rotary files of the type having a motor drive, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, an eyelet member inserted in each of said openings, each of said eyelet members including a tubular section, a shoulder in engagement with one face of said stationary plate and an overturned rim in engagement with the opposite surface of said stationary plate, said openings being equally spaced along a plurality of concentric circles, a different number of openings being disposed on each of said circles, and electrical conductors interconnecting the corresponding eyelets of each of said circles, said electrical conductors comprising printed circuit lines deposited on said stationary plate, a plurality of said con ductors being disposed on each side of said stationary plate and being electrically connected by means of an eyelet, a plurality of contact members slidably disposed in each of the eyelets along one circle, each of said contact members having a head, a spring compressed between said head and shoulder of the surrounding eyelet, a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face of said rotary plate in parallel spaced opposition to the stationary plate, said rotary plate being in engagement with said contact heads, the face of said rotary plate havmg two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along radial lines disposed for engagement with said contacts, said radial lines being disposed in relation to said contacts whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions, and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

8. A selector switch for use with rotary files of the type having a motor drive, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, an eyelet member inserted in each of said openings, each of said eyelet members including a tubular section, a shoulder in engagement with one face of said stationary plate and an overturned rim in engagement with the opposite surface of said stationary plate, said openings being equally spaced along a plurality of concentric circles, a different number of openings being disposed on each of said circles, and electrical conductors interconnecting the corresponding eyelets of each of said circles, each of the eyelets in the outermost circle carrying a soldering lug, a plurality of contact members slidably disposed in each of the eyelets along one circle, each of said contact members having a head, a spring compressed between said head and shoulder of the surrounding eyelet, a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face of said rotary plate in parallel spaced opposition to the stationary plate, said rotary plate being in engagement with said contact heads, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along radial lines disposed for engagement with said contacts, said radial lines being disposed in relation to said contacts whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions, and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

9. A selector switch for interchangeable use with any of a series of motor driven rotary files having different numbers of trays, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, an eyelet member inserted in each of said openings, each of said eyelet members including a tubular section, a shoulder in engagement with one face of said stationary plate and an overturned rim in engagement with the opposite surface of said stationary plate, said openings being equally spaced along a plurality of concentric circles, a different number of openings being disposed on each of said circles, the number of openings in each circle corresponding to the number of trays of one of the rotary files of said series, whereby one opening in each circle corresponds to a particular tray, a plurality of rivet contact members slidably disposed in each of the eyelets along one circle, each of said rivet contact members having a head, a spring compressed between said head and shoulder of the surrounding eyelet, a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face of said rotary plate in parallel spaced opposition to the stationary plate, said rotary plate being in engagement with said contact heads, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along a first radial line disposed for engagement with contacts disposed in the openings in any of said circles, a plurality of short radial lines being disposed on the opposite side of the axis of rotation from said first radial line, said radial lines being disposed at varying distances whereby each of said radial lines is disposed to engage the contacts in the openings in one of said circles, a plurality of said radial lines being angularly offset from a diametral line through said first radial line, whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

10. A selector switch for interchangeable use with any of a series of motor driven rotary files having different numbers of trays, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, an eyelet member inserted in each of said openings, each of said eyelet members including a tubular section, a shoulder in engagement with one face of said stationary plate and an overturned rim in engagement with the opposite surface of said stationary plate, said openings being equally spaced along a plurality of concentric circles, a different number of openings being disposed on each of said circles, the number of openings in each circle corresponding to the number of trays of one of the rotary files of said series, whereby one opening in each circle corresponds to a particular tray, the eyelets in said openings corresponding to each tray being electrically connected together, a plurality of rivet contact members slidably disposed in each of the eyelets along one circle, each of said rivet contact members having a head, a spring compressed between said head and shoulder of the surrounding eyelet, a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face of said rotary plate in parallel spaced opposition to the stationary plate, said rotary plate being in engagement with said contact heads, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along a first radial line disposed for engagement with contacts disposed in the openings in any of said circles, a plurality of short radial lines being disposed on the opposite side of the axis of rotation from said first radial line, said radial lines being disposed at varying distances whereby each of said radial lines is disposed to engage the contacts in the openings in one of said circles, a plurality of said radial lines being angularly offset from a diametral line through said first radial line, whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being respectively interconnected with each of said conductive portions and contact means carried by said stationary plate in engagement with each of said commutator ring portions.

11. A selector switch for interchangeable use with any of a series of motor driven rotary files having different numbers of trays, said switch comprising a stationary plate having a plurality of contact receiving openings formed therein, an eyelet member inserted in each of said openings, each of said eyelet members including a tubular section, a shoulder in engagement with one face of said stationary plate and an overturned rim in engagement with the opposite surface of said stationary plate, said openings being equally spaced along a plurality of concentric circles, a different number of openings being disposed on each of said circles, the number of openings in each circle corresponding to the number of trays of one of the rotary files of said series, whereby one opening in each circle corresponds to a particular tray, the eyelets in said openings corresponding to each tray being electrically connected together, and a solder lug mounted upon each eyelet of the outermost circle, a plurality of rivet contact members slidably disposed in each of the eyelets along one circle, each of said rivet contact members having a head, a spring compressed between said head and shoulder of the surrounding eyelet, a rotary plate, means mounting said rotary plate for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said stationary plate with a face of said rotary plate in parallel spaced opposition to the stationary plate, said rotary plate being in engagement with said contact heads, the face of said rotary plate having two conductive segments formed thereon, said conductive segments being insulated from one another along a first radial line disposed for engagement with contacts aeasyae disposed in the openings in any of said circles, a plurality of short radial lines being disposed on the opposite side of the axis of rotation from said first radial line, said radial lines being disposed at varying distances whereby each of said radial lines is disposed to engage the contacts in the openings in one of said circles, a plurality of said radial lines being angularly ofiset from a diametral line through said first radial line, whereby when one of said radial lines is in engagement with one of said contacts the remainder of said contacts are in engagement with said conductive segments, two conductive commutator ring portions, said commutator ring portions being re 5 portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hartz July 21, 1959 Deighton Sept. 29, 1959 

